Tony, Her Billionaire Russian: A BWWM BBW 5 Stories In 1 Bundle

by Cher Etan

  So much for a quiet walk, he thought ruefully as he pushed open the hotel doors. The doorman nodded to him again and he nodded back. He glanced toward the desk but it was a different clerk there…obviously. He walked quickly to the elevator and pressed the button for his floor all the time mulling over everything Camille had said. The whole thing was creeping him out. He opened the door of their suite to find that the living room was still empty. There was no sound from Sophie and Tony’s room though. He hesitated, wondering if he should disturb them but then decided that he would wait for them to emerge. So instead he went to the kitchenette to rustle up a sandwich. They kept food there because Sophie tended to get hungry at the oddest times. He got a drink from the mini-bar then sat down to watch TV as he ate.

  They hadn’t been allowed to watch TV in the mental health institution in which he’d spent the last nine years of his life, and the past months were jam packed with events so he really hadn’t had time to catch up on programs. He’d heard that reality TV was huge especially this one about a family called Kardashian. He wasn’t sure what the pull was in watching other people living their life on TV but since there was nothing else on, he might as well find out. He was trying to keep everyone and their names straight but he was having a hard time distinguishing one from the other. His eyes closed gradually and soon he was asleep.

  He was sitting in the garden at the house in Boston drawing the landscape while Sam played on the grass in front of him. He was laughing and singing some song as if he was just a normal kid instead of an autistic savant with talent in drawing. Solomon was smiling at him and then he looked up and Katarina was walking toward him. Even though it was clearly working hours, she was dressed in a long dress that looked like a ball gown. She had a magnificent diamond around her neck that exactly matched the color of her blue eyes. She glided toward him, smiling in pleasure and Solomon stood up; letting the pad he was drawing on fall to the ground.

  “Katarina,” he said ,”You look…amazing.”

  She smiled at him but said nothing. He reached out a hand to her and she linked her hand with his. He pulled her toward him, wondering if this was it – was it the moment he would kiss her for the first time? She inclined her head toward him, puckering her lips as his head came closer and closer…

  Suddenly there was a huge explosion and the world went black. Solomon flew into the air, feeling dizzy and out of control and wondering if he would die when he hit the ground. But he didn’t hit the ground, there was a wind that seemed to carry him and he was flying. He could see the garden below – he could see Sam and Katarina looking up at him in wonder as he flew over them. He tried to descend but there was no way to do it. Sophie ran out of the house to look at him too. She wasn’t pregnant in this dream, but trim and curvy like she’d never been so. But a little child wandered out of the house, following her as he sucked on a lollipop and somehow Solomon knew this was the child that Sophie carried.

  A huge eagle was coming toward him, they were on a path of collision and Solomon tried to move out of the way but he couldn’t.

  “Hey Solomon, how’s tricks?” the eagle said in Camille’s voice as it continued on a collision course with Solomon.

  Solomon opened his mouth to tell the eagle he couldn’t move out of the way but no sound came out. The eagle crashed into him and he blacked out. When he came to he was lying on a bed of grass and Katarina lay next to him, asleep. He reached out a hand, just to see if she was real but at his touch she turned around and opened her eyes to look at him. When their eyes met, she smiled at him and he smiled back. Her lips invited him to lose himself in her just as they did when he was awake. This time he didn’t try to restrain himself. He reached out and at long last joined his lips to hers. He felt the breath leave his body in relief as he did so. Her lips were as soft as he had imagined them to be and just as pliant. They yielded to him and he pressed closer twining his fingers in her thick white blonde hair. His heart sped up and he felt dizzy as their tongues danced. He opened his eyes to look into hers and found himself looking into Camille’s brown eyes. He jerked back startled and as he did so, he regained consciousness.

  Solomon’s eyes popped wide open and he shot upright looking around him. His heart was beating like a drum and the sound of the television scared him before he realized what it was.

  “Star?” Sophie’s voice, hoarse with sleep said his name from the doorway to her room, “Are you alright?”

  Solomon looked around him, getting his bearings. He turned to look at her and finally came to himself.

  “I’m fine.” He said.

  “You don’t look fine,” she croaked. Solomon smiled.

  “You on the other hand look like you were attacked by an octopus.”

  Sophie’s hand flew to her hair and then she rubbed vigorously at her face.

  “I think a shower would be helpful, don’t you?” Solomon suggested. Sophie stuck her tongue out at him and then turned to go back inside her room. As she turned, Solomon caught a glimpse of Tony’s shape passed out on the bed.

  “Wow you guys don’t mess around. Is this much sexual activity recommended at this stage of your pregnancy?” Solomon asked laughing.

  Sophie raised her middle finger at him and slammed the door shut behind her. Solomon slumped back in the seat and blew his breath out. He still felt a little dizzy from that dream as if he’d come off a ‘shroom high. He closed his eyes to see if the dizziness would diminish.

  “I take shrooms?” Solomon asked himself in wonder.

  “Do you?” Tony asked making Solomon start again and looked toward the door which was open, with Tony leaning against it.

  “Y’all move so quietly,” Solomon complained. Tony breathed with laughter and strolled into the room straightening his wrinkled clothes.

  “So…” he said flopping into the chair, “What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing, why?”

  “Something’s up with you, you look pale.” Tony said. Solomon raised his eyebrows and laughed.

  “You know what I mean.” Tony said with a one shouldered shrug.

  “Yeah well, while you guys were…busy, I went for a walk. Things happened. I’m a little out of it as a result. I’ll be fine.”

  “What happened?” Tony asked relentlessly.

  “I met somebody I used to know.”

  “Oh? And?”

  “And…they offered to help me with my memory problem.”

  “Oh? How?”

  “Well apparently they know someone who does witchcraft.”

  “Witchcraft!?”

  Solomon shrugged and threw Tony a wry look, “That’s what she said.”

  “How do you know this person?”

  “Well…apparently…we used to be lovers.”

  “How outré”

  “I thought so. What should I do then?”

  “What do you want to do?” Tony asked.

  “I don’t know. I was hoping you’d come with me and check it out.”

  “Sophie would be better suited to know who these people are, don’t you think?” Tony suggested, but Solomon shook his head.

  “Not according to my new old friend Camille.”

  “Well anyway I think that we are still not so desperate as to resort to magic or witchcraft. Are we?” Tony asked studying Solomon intently.

  “No we are not. Besides, I don’t want it to get any more awkward than it already has between this Camille and me.”

  “Ah seeing as you have a new lover in your sights?”

  “We’re not lovers.” Solomon protested.

  “Yet.” Tony clarified.

  “Yet.” Solomon agreed.

  “Speaking of that-“ Tony began.

  “Nope. We are not speaking of that, now or ever,” Solomon interrupted shaking his head in negation. Tony put his hands up in surrender but smiled to show he didn’t take offense.

  “We should see about supper,” Solomon ventured and Tony nodded in agreement.

  “Yes I’m quite hungr
y. I’ll go hurry the wife up.”

  “I’ll go book us a table,” Solomon said standing up and heading for the door.

  ***

  Camille De Lacroix walked into her grandmother’s living room and sank into the divan, facing her.

  “Well?” her grandmother asked.

  Camille shook her head at her in negation.

  “He won’t come?” her grandmother clarified.

  “He turned me down but there is still a chance he might show up.” Camille said, “If this doesn’t work, is there another way to do this?”

  “No. Elijah Devereaux has the black emerald somewhere in his possession. He will not give it up for anything that we can concoct. But the boy can get it for us.”

  “Can’t you do a summoning spell or something to locate it?”

  “Do you think I have not tried?” her grandmother said irritably. Camille shut her mouth looking down at the floor, mouth twisting. She really didn’t want to do this to Solomon. She still loved him even if he didn’t remember her – but they needed that emerald and this was the only way.

  “Perhaps we might have to resort to other means to get him here…” her grandmother said thoughtfully.

  “Get who here? Elijah?” Camille asked hopefully.

  “No. Elijah would not fall for our lures, it must be the boy.”

  “What about his sister instead? She’s heavily pregnant, might be a better lure.”

  Camille’s grandmother, after whom she was named, gave her a look that shriveled her insides, “We are not black witches Camille. You would risk the health of this child to save your little crush from slight inconvenience?” she asked, a very severe look in her eye.

  Camille cast her eyes down, feigning shame but the truth was Solomon Devereaux had been her first and she would have done absolutely anything to save him from ‘slight inconvenience’.

  ***

  They went back to 67 bleaker street the next afternoon. Sophie was reluctant, afraid that what happened yesterday would happen again. Besides she was worried about the circles under Solomon’s eyes. Clearly he did not sleep well; and Tony had told her about his encounter with the Camille person. Solomon thought she didn’t know about her, but she actually did. It was a close-knit community and Sophie had heard all about the weirdo witchy chick her brother was hanging out with from his concerned friends. She hadn’t said anything because well…what was there to say? Plus she guessed she’d been a little more self-absorbed in those days not to be too concerned about her brother’s sexual tastes. The graffiti thing had been more worrying for them as a family because the police kept picking him up. They were terrified that one day they would just shoot him – mistaking his spray can for a gun or something. Besides, half the quarter made their living in one way or another by peddling in ‘witchcraft’. Hell her mom ran a shop which was supposed to sell potions and portents and other knick knacks used in spells. Sophie even remembered that there had been a bust of Papa Legba who was supposed to be some kind of spirit medium for witches. It was a popular article with tourists. But clearly Camille and her family took it all a bit more seriously. Sophie wasn’t naïve, she knew that there were some people who really dabbled in the craft, some stories she’d heard could not be discounted as bullshit. But…she wasn’t a believer and even if she was willing to try it she knew one thing for sure – magic always came with a price. One they weren’t ready to pay.

  “Hey Star, how are you?” Sophie asked as they rode.

  “I am good. You?” Solomon replied.

  “I’m great. Bit of heartburn and the baby’s restless so sleeping is a pain in the ass, but other than that everything’s great. See? That’s how you answer that question.”

  “Eat me.” Solomon said turning away from her to look out the window.

  “So Camille…” Sophie continued ignoring his huff.

  “What about her?” Solomon asked glancing curiously at her and then away again.

  “I did know you were hanging out with a Camille then. Older chick? Into the occult and stuff? Bad influence? Have I got it about right?”

  “I guess. I’m not sure am I?”

  “Well anyway grandpa didn’t approve of her family that’s why you kept her a secret. Something about them being dodgy in some way. Want me to ask him?”

  Solomon shrugged which Sophie took as consent. She turned back to the front of the car as they drew up at their former house. Tony got out and came to open her door and Solomon alighted from the vehicle and walked toward the ruins. He stood still in front of the debris and tall grass as Tony and Sophie hung back, watching anxiously. Sophie’s hands were crossed and she was clutching Tony quite tightly. After a few minutes Solomon turned to them and shook his head sadly.

  “Nothing.” He said.

  Tony nodded and led them back to the car, “Where to now?” he asked Sophie.

  Sophie thought for a minute trying to imagine where else might spark something in Solomon’s mind.

  “We could try the school,” she said at last. Tony nodded, asking for directions. Sophie directed to the local school, or rather the site where the local school used to be. They were rebuilding but meanwhile the students had been moved to another site. The gym was still standing though and Solomon has spent many hours there playing basketball so they went in. There was a hazard sign warning the public that the site was unstable and dangerous so Tony asked Sophie to stay back. She only agreed because of the baby but she urged Tony to go with Solomon in case he had a fit or something.

  Tony and Solomon walked around the gym site while the latter tried to find something familiar about it.

  “Should have brought a ball, maybe played a few hoops,” Tony said pensively.

  Solomon turned to him and smiled, “That actually might have been a good idea. Maybe when the sun goes down a bit we can come back with a ball.”

  Tony shrugged, “Sure. You should know that my basketball skills are not as good as my soccer ones.”

  “Well that makes us even then because I don’t remember how good I am at basketball anyway.”

  “True,” Tony conceded, “Come on lets go, Sophie’s waiting.”

  Chapter 3

  They were lying awake in bed, Tony’s hands wrapped loosely around Sophie as they waited for sleep to claim them. It had been a restless evening - the air was damp and warm making it difficult to get comfortable and even with the air conditioning, Sophie just couldn’t settle down. Which meant that Tony couldn’t settle down.

  “We should go home soon,” he murmured into her ear.

  Sophie made a non-committal sound.

  “I know but pretty soon it’ll be dangerous to travel and Marv here might be coming any time soon.”

  Sophie grimaced.

  “I mean Sol and I can always come back with Elijah…” Tony replied.

  Sophie frowned.

  “I know but I don’t see that we have much choice,” he said with a shrug.

  Sophie sighed and then nodded, closing her eyes to indicate that she didn’t want to talk anymore. Tony turned onto his back staring at the ceiling trying to think how best to do this. He was a little more worried than he let on; it had been a month since Sophie had been to the doctor as they’d been traveling, visiting places they hoped would be familiar to Solomon. He needed to get on with his life but that was difficult to do with no memory. It was difficult, time consuming and frustrating work. It was a good thing that they’d made peace with his father because he was busy running Tony’s businesses while Tony ran around with Sophie and her brother. He smiled at the memory of how eagerly his father had jumped in to help. He was determined to make up for his behavior especially with Sophie and Tony was glad to see his whole family getting alone. Grandpa Elijah was still a bit wary of Roman, but only time would cure that. Besides that wariness would make sure that Elijah kept Roman on the straight and narrow in terms of running their businesses. He was pretty sure he could trust his father but still, he had skimmed money off of him for years to gi
ve to the Bratva…granted it was so that they would leave Tony alone but still. Better safe than sorry.

  Sophie made a sound and Tony immediately turned to her. She was lying on her side, facing away from him and her head was moving restlessly on the pillow. Tony reached out a hand and threaded it into her hair. It had grown considerably in the months of her pregnancy and now hung frizzy below her shoulders. She usually plaited it but today she hadn’t had the energy.

  “Babe?” he said softly trying to wake her if she was asleep.

  She moved her head and moaned but didn’t wake. Tony figured she might be having a nightmare so didn’t want to wake her too suddenly. God knew what would happen if he did. So he leaned forward and softly kissed her neck, caressing her cheek and calling her name. She gradually came to consciousness, looking around her in bewilderment like she didn’t know where she was. Then her eyes met his and he could see her fumbling for his name, her mouth opening and closing as if she couldn’t breathe.

  “Babe?” he said softly and the wildness went out of her eyes.

  “Tony,” she croaked hoarsely and then reached out and clutched at his t-shirt.

  “You’re okay; you’re safe. Everything is fine,” Tony said soothingly.

  Sophie sighed deeply and closed her eyes, swallowing convulsively, “I dreamed that the waves got me that time,” she said.

  “We really need to leave this place,” Tony murmured.

  Sophie turned into him, burying her head in his chest and breathing hard. Tony stroked her hair and murmured nonsense words in her ear; trying to calm her down.

  “I love you,” she said into his t-shirt.

  “I know,” Tony replied and laid her back down, “Can I get you anything, some water maybe?”

  Sophie grimaced at the word ‘water’ and Tony’s mouth twisted as he realized his faux pas.

  “I’m fine Tony, really. It’s just all these damned hormones,” she said.

  “Mmmhm,” Tony murmured skeptically.

  “And my boobs hurt and my stomach is burning and ironically, I think I have cramps even though being pregnant is the one time you’re supposed to be free of those,” Sophie continued.